Consuming the Properties of Orphans

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has issued two kinds of warnings about consuming properties of orphans. One is the suffering by the fire in the next life. The punishment in this life is mentioned in the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, “Those who leave behind weak offspring for whom he is afraid. . . .” (4:11) It means that one must be afraid of leaving behind weak offspring who will be treated as he has treated the orphans.’”

“This is concerning my question before abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who consumes the properties of orphans. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is as Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “Those who consume the properties of orphans unjustly, they only consume fire in their bellies and will feel the heat of the fire.” (4:12)’ He (the Imam) (a.s.), then said without my asking, ‘Whoever provides an orphan until his condition as an orphan is over and becomes self-sufficient Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, makes paradise certain for him as He makes the fire definite for those who consume the properties of orphans.’”

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a man who in his hand has properties of orphans and is needy. He extends his hand to take a certain amount with the intention to return. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not proper for him to consume it, except with moderation and without excess; but if his intention is not to return, he then is like the one about whom Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “Those who consume the properties of orphans unjustly. . . .” (4:12)’”

“Once it was said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We visit a brother in belief in the house of orphans with their servant. We sit on their furnishings, drink from their water and their servant serves us and perhaps eat of the food of our friend in which there is the orphans’ food also. What do you say about it? He (the Imam) said, ‘If your visit is beneficial for them, it is not harmful and if it is harmful it is not permissible.’ He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘Man is well aware of his own-self. It is not hidden from you that Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “If you mix with them they are your brothers in belief and Allah knows who is corrupt and who is improving and a peacemaker.’””

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘I have an orphan girl of my brother. At certain times gifts are given to her and I eat a certain amount thereof. Thereafter I feed her a certain amount from my properties and I say, “O Lord, this is for what I have used.” He (the Imam) (a.s.), said, ‘It is not harmful.”’